Coin ejector for coin-operated timing mechanism



4, 1953 A. R. DAHLBERG ETAL 2,647,608

COIN EJECTQR FOR COIN-OPERATED TIMING MECHANISM Original Filed Sept. 15, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l t 32 o I Q l O I i 2 lmllmmmlmmmmml" INVENTORS Arnold R. Duhlberg R0 mond I Larson Ric urd M Ohupmun Z/W QM),

ATTORNEYS 1953 A. R. DAHLBERG ETAL 2,647,608

COIN EJECTOR FOR COIN-OPERATED TIMING MECHANISM Original Filed Sept. 15, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Arnold R. Dahlberg Raymond If Larson Richard M. Chapman 8 ATTORNEYS saw ,44 FIG.7.

Patented Aug. 4, 1953 COIN EJECTOR FOR COIN-OPERATED TIMING MECHANISM Arnold R. Dahlberg, Raymond T. Larson, and

Richard M. Chapman, Minneapolis, Minn., assignors to The Tonex Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Original application September 15, 1950, Serial No. 185,084. Divided and this application November 19, 1951, Serial No. 259,390

2 Claims.

Our invention relates to coin ejectors for coinoperated timing mechanisms and is a. division of our copending United States patent application S. N. 185,084, filed September 15, 1950, and entitled Coin-Operated Timing Mechanism.

The primary object of our invention is the provision of a mechanism for positively ejecting a coin from a rotary carrier upon rotation thereof, irrespective of the presence of dust, grease, or sticky substances in the carrier and associated mechanism.

A still further object of our invention is the provision of a device of the class above described which is extremely inexpensive to produce and install and which will render efficient and foolproof service over a period of years without the need of adjustment.

The above and still further objects of our invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims, and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, whereinlike characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a timing device incorporating our invention, as seen from one side thereof;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the opposite side of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2, but showing a pair of coins inserted in the coin chute of our device and a dilferent position of some of the parts;

Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2, but showing a still different position of some of the parts;

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2, but showing still another position of some of the parts;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 66 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram illustrating the use of our novel timing mechanism in controlling a power-operated device.

Referring with greater detail to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates in its entirety a channel-shaped frame having a central main body 2 and parallel side flanges 3. A guide plate 4 is rigidly mounted to the wall 2 by means of screws or the like 5 and is formed to provide a longitudinally-arcuate channel 6 which cooperates with the underlying frame wall portion 2 to provide an arcuate coin chute or passage 1. The plate 4 is further formed to cooperate with the wal1 2 to define a. recess 8 communicating with the coin chute 1 and extending later-ally outwardly in one direction to one side edge of the guide plate 4, as indicated at 9.

A disc-like coin carrier or transfer member I0 is mounted fast on the enlarged end portion ll of a shaft l2 by suitable means, such as a set screw or the like I3. The carrier I0 is contained within the recess 8, the shaft 13 being journalled in suitable bearings 14 and IS, the former of which is rigidly secured to the frame I. Rotary movement is imparted to the carrier 10 by an electric motor 8 and suitable reduction gearing, not shown, but contained within a gear housing I! and coupled to an output gear l8 mounted fast on the shaft [2. The motor l6 and gear casing ll are rigidly secured to the wall 2 of the frame I by machine screws or the like I9, the bearing I5 being mounted fast on the gear housing ll in axial alignment with the bearing M.

The carrier 9 is provided with a segmental notch 20 which, upon rotary movements of the carrier, is adapted to move into registration with the coin chute l to receive a coin therefrom. The bottom or radially-inner portion of the notch 20 forms a cradle or nest 2| in which the coin or token, indicated by the letter at, drops by gravity from the chute 1, and from which the coin drops under the action of gravity when the carrier [0 is rotated to a predetermined extent.

A normally open switch 22 is contained within a casing 23 and is adapted to be closed by swinging movements of a switch-operating arm 24 in one direction. The casing 23 is secured to the frame I by screws or the like 25, the switch arm 24 extending through aligned apertures 26 in the wall 2 and guide plate 4. A pair of aligned slots 21 and 28 in the frame wall 2 and guide plate 4 respectively provide a passageway for swinging movements of the free end 29 of the arm 24, said free end being inturned to project therethrough in parallel relationship to the shaft l2 transversely of the recess 8 and in the path of travel of a coin deposited in the chute 1. A wearing plate 30 is mounted fast on the frame I and overlies the slot 21 to limit movement of the free end 29 of the arm 24 in one direction transversely of the path of travel of the coin .r. The arm 24 is preferably made from resilient wire or the like and is yieldingly biased toward frictional engagement of the extreme end thereof with the plate 30.

The Weight of a coin :0 moving downwardly through the chute 1 is sufficient to cause downward swinging movement of the arm 24 to close the switch 22.

The switch 22 is of the type requiring a relatively short downward swinging movement of the arm 24 to be rendered operative, subsequent movement of the arm 24 being merely an overtravel thereof. With reference to Fig. 7, it will be seen that a coil spring 3! permits overtravel of the arm 24 beyond its switchclosed position closely spaced from the upper limit of its swing to it lower limit of swinging movement shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

A terminal block 32 is mounted on the frame 1 and includes a pair of terminals 33 and 3 4 which are connected to opposite contact elements of the switch 22 by a pair of leads 35 and 36 respectively. Another pair of terminals 55? and 38 in the block 32 are connected to the motor 16 by a pair of respective leads 38 and' lii, see Fig. '7. For the purpose of illustrating utility of our novel timing mechanism, a load in the nature of a motor or the like 'll is shown as having a pair of leads 5.2 and t3, the former of which is connected to the terminal 3'1, and the latter of which extends to one side of a power line M or like source of electrical energy. The opposite side of the power line hi is connected to the terminal 3 3 by a lead 55 and a lead ib shown as connecting the lead -3 with the terminal 3%. Anroperating circuit is completed by a jumper wire or'the like 1? connecting the terminals 33 and 31.

Operation of the above-described mechanism is :initiated by insertion of one or more coins or tokens 1r into the chute 'i. The first inserted-coin rdescending through the chute "1 makes contact with the end portion 29 of the switch-ope? 'l armtl and moves the arm 2t downwardly its switch-open position of Fig. 2 to its switchclosed position of 3, the weight of a single coin :rbeing suificient to move the arm and close the switch 22. Closing of the switch 22 completes the circuits through the load ll and timer it. Energization oithe motor l causes the coin carrierfli'il to rotate at a predetermined speed in a counterclockwise position with respect to Figs. 2 to'5 inclusive and Fig. '7. As the coin carrier it rotates, the switch-operating arm 2i is swung downwardly in a direction out of the path or travel ofthe coin at until said coin is moved by the carrier out of engagement therewith, after which the fre end it of the arm 22 is engaged by the peripheral portion of the coin carrier vii as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 to maintain the switch 221m a closed position. Normally, when the coin carrier it progresses to its position of Fig. 4, the coin will drop out of the notch 28 under the action of gravity and into a coin-receiver or the like, not shown but commonly used in conventional-coin-operated mechanism. Continued rotation of the coin carrier causes the notch 2&3 therein to be finally moved into full registration with the coin chute l as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. At this point, the leading side 25 of the notch 2!! has been moved sufiiciently to permit the switch-operating arm 26 to swing upwardly under bias of the spring 3! to the switch-open position of Fig. 2, thus opening the circuit to the load ll and the timing motor i6 and terminating operation of both thereof. However, in the event that a-plurality of coins :1? are inserted into the chute I, but a single coin is received within the notch 20 of the coin carrier during a full revolution thereof. By reference to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the coin x in the chute i overlying the coin contained within the notch 28 has its lower portion :disposed radially inwardly of the mouth of;-the notch 20. Rotation of the coin carrier causes engagement of the overlying coin by the peripheral portion of the coin carrier to move the overlying coin or coins upwardly in the chute 1 against the action of gravity to a point where said overlying coin rests against the periphery of the coin carrier. The longitudinally-arcuate form of the chute l prevents an excessive amount of coin weight from bearing directly against the coin carrier Iii; and, inasmuch as said coins must be moved upwardly in the chute by rotation of the coin carrier, said reverse movement of the overlying coins is accomplished by rotation of the coin carrier without placing undue strain upon the motor it and transmission connecting the motor and the coin carrier. After the first one of a group of coins ."c has been discharged'from the coin carrier it], continued rotation of the coin carrier will position the notch 28 therein as in Fig. 5, whereby to permit the second coin to move under the action of gravity into contact with the arcuate side portion 26'. As the coin carrier it continues to rotate, said second coin :2 moves into engagement with the inturned end 29 of the switch arm iii to maintain the switch 22 in a switclnelosed position, the coin being moved by said interned end 29 into the cradle or nest 2!. This movement of the coin a; into the cradle 25 permits movement thereof past the end of the arm and subsequent engagement of the arm by the coin carrier id as above described. Thus, it will be seen that the motor i5 and the load di will be inaintained in continuous operation until all of the coins deposited in the chute have been charged therefrom. The time reou red for one complete revolution of the coin ea or is determined by the speed of rotation of the armature of the motor i6 and the gear ratio therebetween and the shaft i2.

To insure proper discharge of the coins a: from our novel timing mechanism, we provide a coin ejector 38 rigidly secured at one end portion to the lower end or the guide plate :1 a screw or the like as. The coin ejector is made from resilient material such as spring steel or the likeand bifurcated to form a of parallel inner and outer legs 56 and El respectively extending tangentially in the direction of rotation of the carrier or from the 1831, to the right with respect to Figs. 2 to '5 inclusive. The free ends of the legs 56 and El teri inate in aligned inner-and outer lips stand respecti' ely slo 5 toward the coin carrier l0 and the frame 5 and extending angularly with respect to one of the notch of the carrier [8 when said carrier rotated suiliciently to position the arcuate side portion 2| adjacent thereto. [is shown, the guide plate 5 is notched at the lower end portion of the recess 8 and at the open side 2 thereof. The lip 52 and leg 50 which overlies the coin carrier i0 adjacent the periphery thereof enters the notch 54 and has frictional engagement with the coin carrier l0, whereas the outer lip engages the rear wall 2 of the frame i radially outv. idly of the'coin carrier. It will be noted that the Liner and outer lips 52 and 53 form one wall of a discharge portion or chute 55 extending angularly downwardly from the recess 8. The ejector exerts a yielding bias of the legs iii; and 5! thereof toward the coin carrier to and the rear wall 20f the :frame I. Thus as ti coin carrier rotates, the lip 52 will enter the notch 28 and have camming engagement with the coin :0 whereby the coin is removed entirely from the carrier l0. I -The coins a: will normally drop out of the notch 20 under the action of gravity without engaging the lips 52 or 53. However, under continued use, there is a possibility that foreign matter may be introduced into the coin chute or that a sticky or gummy coin may be used. The relatively slow movement of the coin carrier gives opportunity for sticky or gummy substances to accumulate at the discharge end of the recess B sufficiently to prevent a coin from dropping freely therethrough. When this condition occurs, the coin a: is moved by the carrier against the wall-acting lips 52 and 53, whereby the coin is ejected in spite of its tendency to remain in the notch 20 of the carrier. From the above, it should be obvious that our novel timing mechanism may be used for controlling a power-operated load for a predetermined set time interval determined by the number of coins or tokens placed in the coin chute. The channel I in the guide plate t is provided with a longitudinallyextended sight opening 6 through which the operator may observe the number of coins contained in the chute. By this means, the opera tor may tell at a glance how many revolutions the coin carrier it] must make before the switch 22 is opened to disconnect the load circuit.

Our invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the objectives set forth; and while we have shown and described a preferred embodiment of our novel timing mechanism, it will be understood that the same is capable of modification within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

What we claim is:

1. A coin ejector for a coin-operated timing mechanism including a frame, a coin chute, a rotary coin carrier journalled in said frame and interposed in said coin chute, said carrier having a coin-receiving notch registra'ble with the coin chute, and mechanism for rotating said coin carrier, said coin ejector comprising a flexible resilient member mounted at one end to said frame, the free end portion of said member being bifurcated to provide longitudinally parallel inner and outer legs extending tangentially in the direction of rotation of said carrier, the free ends of said legs terminating in aligned inturned inner and outer lips respectively slopin toward said carrier and frame and extending angularly with respect to one side of the notch in said carrier when the carrier is rotated sufficiently to position said side adjacent said lips, the inner one of said lips overlying a portion of said coin carrier adjacent the periphery thereof, said outer lip being radially outwardly spaced therefrom, said lips being yieldingly biased toward engagement with said carrier and frame respectively, whereby said inner lip will enter the notch in said carrier upon rotation thereof and have camming engagement with a coin contained in the notch to initiate ejecting movements thereto, said ejecting movement being enhanced by engagement of the coin with said outer lip.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which said lips define one side of said coin chute adjacent the discharge end thereof.

ARNOLD R. DAHLBERG. RAYMOND T. LARSON. RICHARD M. CHAPMAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 842,207 Keyes Jan. 29, 1907 1,501,556 Ewing July 15, 1924 

